What is semaglutide, and how does it help with weight loss?
Semaglutide is a prescription medication, administered by injection, that can help manage weight. Originally developed to treat diabetes and improve high blood sugar, this drug’s active ingredient is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that acts similarly to a naturally occurring hormone in our bodies that controls blood sugar. Semaglutide is also known by the brand names Wegovy®, Ozempic®, or Rybelsus®.
Here’s why it works for medically supervised weight loss:
- It effectively slows down the digestive process, allowing a sensation of fullness to last longer after meals
- It prompts the body to increase insulin release and decrease glucagon levels, which together help in reducing appetite
Patients typically report a decrease in food cravings and a reduced need to consume as much food to feel satisfied. This aids in weight loss without the discomfort of intense hunger or the constraints of a rigorous diet.
Our semaglutide weight loss program
Dr. Lee treats semaglutide as a part of a comprehensive lifestyle change that aims for sustainable, long-term weight management. The goal is to cultivate mindful eating practices, recognize appropriate portion sizes, and reduce impulsive eating while also gradually building other lifestyle habits to support your wellness, like an exercise program and a nutrient-rich diet. Semaglutide can serve as a tool to empower patients to maintain their results long-term.
How treatments work
We ask that our patients commit to a six-month program on a subscription basis; ideally, we will extend this to a year or more, as needed, to reach your goals for optimal health and well-being. Here’s what’s included in our weight loss program:
- 1 weekly semaglutide injection, supervised by Dr. Marvin Lee
- 1 set of lab work
- 1 IV vitamin infusion that includes B12, biotin, amino acids, B1,B2, B3,B5, B6, zinc, vitamin C, and more
- 1 Glutathione infusion
You will come to our medical spa on a weekly basis to see Dr. Marvin for coaching and counseling and to receive your semaglutide injections. This is when we check in with you about your progress in making lifestyle changes and take your weight and waist circumference to track your progress.
While we will start out by performing the injections ourselves, certain patients who are good candidates may be able to start performing their own injections at home, if desired.
The PureLee Redefined difference: Why choose us
If you choose to work with PureLee Redefined for weight loss, our aim is for you to feel well-supported and taken care of during this journey. While other providers may simply prescribe Wegovy or Ozempic and send you home to perform the weekly injections, we will meet with you weekly, and your injections will be administered by board-certified internal medicine physician, Dr. Marvin Lee. We will check in with you and treat you in the context of your overall health.
You will meet with Dr. Marvin not only for your injections, but also for guidance and coaching.
It is our goal to do our part to make this life-changing medical weight loss treatment accessible for as many patients as possible, so we have designed our program with that in mind: Your initial blood work will be included in the monthly cost of treatment, as well as the IV therapy to further promote weight loss and lean body mass. Further, we source our semaglutide from compounding pharmacies whose quality we trust, allowing us to pass on cost savings to patients.
Good candidates
You may be a good candidate for semaglutide if you identify with any of the following:
- You are clinically overweight or obese
- You are struggling to lose weight after childbirth or due to age
- You have prediabetes
You may not be able to safely take semaglutide if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer), or if you are currently taking certain other medications for diabetes (antidiabetic drugs). The best way to determine if semaglutide is right for you is in a consultation with our doctor, who will look at your full medical history and any medications you are taking.
The consultation for medical weight loss
During your consultation, you will sit down with Dr. Marvin to discuss your goals and your lifestyle. He will perform an overall health assessment, which includes lab work to make sure you can safely begin a semaglutide regimen. We will take your weight and waist circumference and continue to measure these to track your progress over time. Together, you will go over any recommendations for lifestyle changes.
We are here to treat you in the context of your overall health, discussing exercise and nutrition (not “diet”).
How quickly will I lose weight on semaglutide?
On average, patients lose about 10% of their body weight for every 3 months they are on semaglutide.
What are the side effects of semaglutide?
Side effects associated with semaglutide are generally mild and can often be effectively managed with the correct dose. The most common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Gas, bloating, or belching
These symptoms are usually temporary and subside as your body adjusts to the medicine. Serious side effects are rare, but if you experience anything unusual, contact Dr. Marvin (or call 911 in case of emergency).
Which pharmacy will supply the semaglutide?
We source semaglutide solely from reputable compounding pharmacies whose quality we trust. This means that we are able to offer this life-changing treatment at a lower cost, making it more accessible to a wider group of people looking for a reliable weight loss solution!
Should I be worried about the safety of semaglutide?
Semaglutide injections are widely considered to be a safe weight loss solution, and a 2022 study confirms it is safe for obese and overweight adults. Rest assured that we screen each patient for risk factors that may make semaglutide unsafe.
Schedule your consultation today!
We are here to help you feel your very best! At PureLee Redefined, we pay attention to the details—from decorating our office to be peaceful and comfortable, to ensuring semaglutide patients work directly with our doctors.
We also offer non-surgical body contouring treatments, like CoolSculpting, hormone replacement therapy for men and women, and aesthetic treatments like Botox®, dermal filler, and laser.
Schedule a consultation today by calling (719) 452-8541 or contacting us online!